PCUSA attempts to fill hole furiously while digging deeper.

For Zion's Sake ^ | Dec 6, 2005 | Christopher

[Presbyterian Reporter]

First rule of getting out of a hole: quit digging.

Now that Jewish groups have stepped up their criticism of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick has been forced to defend the denomination in the wake of its latest delegation to visit Hizballah.

ironically enough, on the front of the PCUSA website is an article for the "Say NO to torture" Epiphany gathering and an article where Kirkpatrick restates PC(USA)'s opposition to capital punishment. However, the largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States can only find weasel words to condemn a foreign terrorist organization with an unambiguous track record and clearly stated goals. Oh, and you will not find even these weasel words on the PCUSA website.

"We have been in contact with the leaders of the trip and have learned that it was not a delegation representing the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), but rather a study trip for individuals, under the auspices of the Middle East Task Force of Chicago Presbytery," Kirkpatrick wrote in a letter to presbyteries and synods. In other words, other words, he washes his hands because the trip was not officially sanctioned by the denomination.

What Pontius Kirkpatrick failed to include in his letter was the fact that the trip was coordinated by the Rev. Dr. Nuhad Tomeh, Presbyterian Church USA Ambassador to Hezbollah, whose official title is regional liaison of the PCUSA for Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and the Gulf.

What he did include was a statement by Jay Rock, the PCUSA's coordinator for interfaith relations, "so that you will have accurate information from those who may have questions about the situation." Rock's words make it clear that the PCUSA is making things far worse: Let there be no doubt about Presbyterian rejection of the tactics of terror and violence; these tactics are morally indefensible. As peacemakers, we condemn all groups who use tactics of terror, and who call for a violent rejection of Israel, including Hizbollah. We lament that Hizbollah launched a rocket attack on Israel in October, only a day after the visit about which you and others, including some Presbyterians, have expressed concerns.

Many Presbyterians believe that peacemaking requires meeting even with those groups that are violent in their approach to a problem (as, in former times, with the PLO). This is felt even more strongly in the case of a group such as Hizbollah, which has de facto control of territory in which fellow Christians live.

We want you to know that we have begun a process to develop guidelines for Presbyterians who travel in troubled regions of the world. Our hope is that these will be a contribution that can help all of us understand what really makes for peace.

Individuals who meet with organizations that oppose General Assembly policy should draw attention to the position of the Presbyterian Church (USA) on the matters of disagreement. With this case in particular, we wish that the group had made clear the policies of their church, against terrorism in any form, and for the security and vitality of Israel, when interacting with that organization. In the future, our guidelines will better prepare travelers for encounters with groups that are opposed to General Assembly policy. The PCUSA has "begun a process to develop guidelines", but I guarantee these are doomed, because the leadership does not "understand what really makes for peace".

The PCUSA will not cut off communications with Hizballah, though it consistently refuses to communicate with representatives of Israel. The General Assembly voted to "initiate a process of phased, selective divestment in multinational corporations operating in Israel," when said divestment is intended to damage the security and vitality of the only democracy in the Middle East, and to achieve the same goals as terrorism in another form. In contrast, the most they will ask of their members who meet with Hizballah is that they make clear the policies of their church, "against terrorism in any form, and for the security and vitality of Israel."

Presbyterians, the anti-Semitic leadership of the PCUSA has abandoned common sense, has abandoned ethics, has abandoned justice, and has abandoned G~d. In an not unrelated note, 50,000 of you are abandoning the denomination every year.

Though standing outside the denomination, I humbly suggest it is time to take it back from them, instead.

[Presbyterian Reporter]

Presbyterians---heed what Christopher is writing:

"Presbyterians, the anti-Semitic leadership of the PCUSA has abandoned common sense, has abandoned ethics, has abandoned justice, and has abandoned G~d. In an not unrelated note, 50,000 of you are abandoning the denomination every year.

Though standing outside the denomination, I humbly suggest it is time to take it back from them, instead."

[buckeyesrule]

I may have about had it with the PCUSA church. I visited a different church last sunday and really liked it. Excellent sermon.

[buck61]

I left the Presbyterian Church a yr. ago for this very reason, In 06 I beleave the church will split over this issue.